Jordanelle Reservoir
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Jordanelle Reservoir is a reservoir in the U.S. state of Utah. It is fed and drained primarily by the Provo River and is impounded by the Jordanelle Dam, an Earthen dam in Wasatch County, Utah, located just north of Heber. The construction of the dam resulted in the rerouting of U.S. Highway 40 over the summit of nearby mountains and the submergence of Keetley and Hailstone.[citation needed]
The state park of Jordanelle opened June 29, 1995 [1]. Construction of the dam caused uproar among the conservationists, already deeply intent on maintaining the natural state of the Provo River.[citation needed] A large area at the foot of the dam was converted into an artificial wetland, and there has been talk of returning the river to a more 'natural' course.[2]
The reservoir is a focus for recreation in the region, but has also caused a great deal of population growth in Northern Wasatch County,[citation needed] serving as a bedroom community for Park City. The relocation of U.S. Highway 40 also facilitated the expansion of Deer Valley Ski Resort.
The expansion of Highway 40 because of the relocation has also caused growth in the local communities, including Midway, which has seen approximately 73% growth since the reservoir and highway were completed in the early 1990s.[citation needed]
